The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans has finished repairs and is testing water lines on the eastern end of New Orleans East where the community meets Bayou Sauvage Wildlife Refuge Area.
Early this morning a car struck a hydrant on Chef Highway just before the roadway enters Bayou Sauvage. Water pressure in the affected area dropped below 20 psi, prompting SWB to take the precautionary step of issuing a boil water advisory. The area covered New Orleans East along Chef Highway from the Bayou Sauvage line all the way to Industrial Parkway.
The Louisiana Department of Health is advising people not to drink, make ice or brush teeth, until further notice. Residents in the affected area are advised to take precautions by following these hygiene actions:
- Washing hands: Use soap and tap water, dry hands then apply hand sanitizer; the safest option is to wash with safe water.
- Shower or bath: Being careful not to swallow any water, one may take a shower safely. Using caution when bathing infants and young children so that no water is swallowed is considered fairly safe. The time spent bathing should be minimized.
Though the risk of illness is minimal, individuals who have recent surgical wounds, are immunosuppressed, or have a chronic illness may want to consider using bottled or boiled water for cleansing until the advisory is lifted.
For more information on boil water advisors and personal safety go to: https://ready.nola.gov/plan/boil-water/
